Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes manager Mamoru Kishida (44) gave a special interview to Sports Hochi ahead of the opening game against Rakuten Eagles on the 27th (at Kyocera Dome), expressing his burning determination to win. Entering his second year as manager, he declared, "We have no choice but to win. There is no other option but to win." He also revealed his thoughts on each player, including ace pitcher Hiroya Miyagi (24), whom he entrusted with the opening pitcher, and pitcher Shumpeita Yamashita (23). What he said is absolutely essential for reclaiming the championship after three years is "mindset." The manager, who has played his entire professional career with Orix Buffaloes, is also moving forward towards his goal of becoming the best in Japan, saying, "I want to make this team a cool team." (Interview and composition by Toru Nagata)

■ Hijiri Yokoyama & Growth of Mukuki

—This is your second year in office. What have you focused on leading up to the season opener?

"Last year, we started with the goal of bringing back our championship-winning players. This year, in addition to that, we're focusing on competition. To that end, we mixed up the members (regardless of whether they were from the first or second team) from the start of training camp and created a training menu for them. The plan was for them to motivate each other within that environment."

—It fueled their competitive spirit.

"The core players are, of course, the core players. The question is how many young players will emerge who are aiming to surpass them. If that happens, the core players will feel pressured. It's not good if the core players look at their juniors and think, 'We'll be fine for another three years.' We need to revitalize the team in other ways."

—Were there any surprises or discoveries?

"For example, I felt a lot of power in Seiya Yokoyama 's hitting. He's in his third year out of high school, and I think he's getting stronger every year. Mugitani and Yamanaka are in their second year, and we could see their growth."

pitcher Mukunoki has improved.

"I've known since around the end of last year that I could pitch about this much for one inning. I've recovered well from Tommy John surgery, and I'm in such good physical condition that you could say this year is my peak."

—Among all the players you have high expectations for, which one do you have particularly high expectations for?

"The one I have the highest expectations for is Peta (Yamashita). He didn't pitch last year. Miyagi got injured midway through the season, and Soya wasn't good in the second half either. Yamaoka has also switched to being a starter and needs to make a comeback. Then there are the injured players: Udagawa, Hitomi Honda, Ogita, Saiki, and Higashi. He hasn't been back since last year..."

—Yamashita is out due to a problem with his right elbow. To be honest, it hurts.

"Of course it hurts. (When I complained about the problem with my right elbow) I was like, 'Huh? When?'"

—Director Kishida was also shaken.

"It wasn't so much a shock as it was a surprise. Last year, he had to endure so much rest (while his back was recovering) before pitch, and he came back full of enthusiasm. He's probably the most shocked of all. But it's not a big deal. He'll be a little behind, but I think he'll be able to play for the whole year."

—He was a candidate for the opening day pitcher.

"Normally, Miyagi would be the opening day pitcher. He's our ace. This year we had the WBC, and we didn't know when he would be back. We also thought Japan would win. We were wondering how much Miyagi would pitch in the WBC and when he would return. In that situation, naturally, Peta, along with Aren (Kuri), would be a pillar of the team. He was pitcher would go on opening day. If it was difficult for Miyagi, it was decided that Peta would take the mound. We had actually planned to announce it earlier, but..."

■ "Awareness" is necessary to win the championship

Softbank Hawks and Nippon-Ham are considered the two strongest teams. Will Orix Buffaloes try to keep up with them, or will they stick to their own style of play?

"It's probably both. We'll follow the path we're taking and stick to it. I'm sure other teams are thinking the same thing. Every team is making reinforcements, and I think every team is naturally strong."

—What is necessary to win?

It's about the awareness of everyone. It's about one play, one play, one ball. Which direction to hit it in, or how to roll it in this situation. It's the awareness of everyone who scores a point. The charge of base running and outfielder in one-bang-go (when pitch does one bounce), and the voice during the game. pitcher Then it's attention to kenban and runner. Are you prepared for everything? This becomes awareness."

—What do you want to leave behind for Orix Buffaloes going forward?

"I want the team to become one where the senior players can lead effectively, and I want it to be that way. It's important no matter who the future manager or coach is. I want the players to build a serious team to win and make it a tradition."

—The slogan is "Passionate Determination." What is Director Kishida's driving force?

"I'm a homegrown player. Now that I'm the manager, I naturally want to make this team a cool team. A strong team, a team that people will support. Because it's the first team, we have no choice but to win. There's no other option but to win. There's nothing else for us."

Mamoru Kishida was born on May 10, 1981 in Suita, Osaka, Japan. He was drafted in the third round of the 2005 college and adult draft Orix Buffaloes after playing for Rushosha, Tohoku Fukushi University, and NTT West. He won 10 games in 2009 and saved 33 in 2011, his most wins in a single season. 433 games, 44 wins, 30 losses, 63 saves, 63 hold, ERA 2.99. He retired after 19 years and served as a coach pitcher for two forces from 2008. 24. He became manager at the end of the 1964 season, and on March 28, 2013, he became the team's first rookie manager since Takao Kajimoto in 1979, when he was with Hankyu, to start the season with a white star in the opening game Rakuten Eagles against Kyocera D. His record in his first year as manager was 74 wins, 66 losses, and 3 ties. His motto is "New day by day. Pitches right-handed and bats right-handed.